The rock labyrinth is composed of Cretaceous sandstone deposited roughly 90 million years ago during the existence of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin.
The name 'Maštale' translates to 'stables,' reflecting local folklore that the labyrinth served as a hideout for the bandit knight Vavřinec Toulovec.
The nature reserve spans approximately 1,066 hectares and is managed to protect unique plant communities adapted to sandy, nutrient-poor soil.
The Terezka lookout tower is constructed primarily of wood and offers an elevation gain that looks out over the Pardubice region.
The geological structure includes 'pseudokarst' features, where narrow ravines mimic karst topography despite the lack of limestone.
Toulovcovy maštale is a sandstone rock labyrinth located within a protected nature reserve in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. The area consists of a dense network of gorges, narrow canyons, and rock towers formed by the erosion of Cretaceous sandstone. The region offers an extensive network of marked hiking trails and cycling paths connecting individual rock formations. A wooden lookout tower, Terezka, provides panoramic views of the surrounding hilly landscape. The rock formations feature distinctive honeycomb weathering patterns typical of this geological formation. The area is named after a local legend involving a 14th-century knight named Toulovec who allegedly used the rock complex to hide his loot. The site is a popular destination for trail runners and mountain bikers due to the technical nature of the sandy terrain.
The narrow entrance to the main ravine, where the towering rock walls create a dramatic, shadowed corridor.
Wear sturdy hiking boots with aggressive tread as the sandstone paths can be slippery when damp.
Carry a physical topographic map, as cellular reception is inconsistent within the deeper ravines.
Plan your route to include both the rock labyrinths and the nearby lookout tower to fully utilize the trail network.
Attempting to climb the sandstone walls, as rock climbing is strictly regulated or prohibited in specific zones to protect the soft rock.
Stay strictly on marked trails to protect the fragile sandstone surfaces and local moss ecosystems.
